Lou Paduano | Urban Fantasy Novels | Sci-Fi Crime Series

Writing Update – April 12, 2018

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Welcome back to the show that never ends!!! I promised myself a quiet March after the launch of Pathways in the Dark, especially with every member of my household celebrating birthdays in a three week span.

I always break my promises when it comes to easing off on the writing.

Instead, I launched into my next series with reckless abandon.

Writing Update

I love school vacations. It is my bread and butter when it comes to productivity. Having my lovely wife home last week gave me the opportunity to jump head first into the first book in a new series.

42,002 words in 7 days.

It’s called The Clearing and it is coming your way in June 2019.

The first in a series of novella type serials, The Clearing is the first of six “episodes” which will make up the first season.

I have a LONG way to go before I feel comfortable throwing more details your way but, holy crap, am I excited about this!

A Circle of Shadows

The next and final installment in the Greystone series (for now…) is heading to my lovely and talented editor at Kristen Corrects Inc this month. So this week I am hunkered down making sure the latest draft is up to snuff and presentable.

I do not want to disappoint on this one. The pressure is on but from what I’ve heard in terms of feedback from my very early readers I think I managed to stick the landing. More on this next week.

Buffalo Comicon – April 15th!!!

Stop and pay me a visit this Sunday between 10am and 5pm!! Bring your paperback to be signed or pick one up at the show!

Can’t wait to see you there! Order your ticket today!

Reading Update

Blood Rites by Jim Butcher – Absolutely love this series. Book Six in The Dresden Files and every time I finish one I want to pounce on the next installment. This book was no exception. Butcher throws a ton at you in the beginning but always manages to juggle the seemingly disparate plotlines with ease. The world he’s developed has grown so much since the first two books. Can’t wait to see what happens next.

When Did You See Her Last? by Lemony Snicket – I have never read a Lemony Snicket novel, though I confess I am loving the current Netflix series based on A Series of Unfortunate Events. Reading this book I couldn’t help but hear Patrick Warburton’s narration in the back of my mind, edging me further and further into the bizarre mystery unfolding in the pages. A dazzling array of characters, each with their own quirks on display for the reader.

A fast read and an enjoyable one to boot.

Writing Update – March 15, 2018

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It’s been a light month for me so far. Lots of good distractions, however, I’ve persisted in getting a small jump on next year’s big project.

Writing Update

Next year’s project turns from the novel approach to a more episodic nature. There is some of that in Greystone, threads weaving throughout the series, but for this next endeavor I’ve tried to really tighten up the narrative so that each piece provides a full story yet propels the overall arc forward to the following chapter in rapid fire delivery.

Will it work? I hope so!

To dive in, I’ve outlined the six episodes that will comprise the inaugural “season” of the series. First, I plotted them separately then began to filter in the connective tissue that ties everything together and leaves readers wanting a second season.

Tons more prep work involved before getting to the down and dirty part of writing, however, I’m enjoying exploring this new world and the possibilities it provides.

Convention Season!

That’s right! Convention season is upon us and I am taking part in my first one ever one month from today!

The Buffalo Comicon is Sunday, April 15, 2018 from 10 am until 5 pm at the Buffalo Niagara Marriott at 1240 Millersport Highway, Amherst NY 14221!

I will be there with books galore and am happy to sign your edition with my signature flair. Please tell me if sarcasm is unnecessary or if it is preferred. (I’ll do whatever I want anyway…)

The Buffalo show is the first convention I ever attended as a kid and is a great place to pick some cool books and meet some incredible folks. Very much looking forward to seeing you there!

Reading

I won’t bore you with the X-Men reading I’ve been binging on this time around. (1986 was a great year for mutant books… just saying.)

I’m hoping to finish off my winter reading list next week and will be sharing my thoughts next update!

Writing Update – February 8, 2018

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Writing Update

A Circle of Shadows – I started my final readthrough today. By Sunday, A Circle of Shadows will be passed to some early readers to give me feedback on a narrative level. My stomach is in knots over it. It always is. Months of plotting, scripting, drafting and edits have all led to this moment so fingers crossed I didn’t completely blow it!

Sticking the landing has become my mantra during this edit. This book, while not the end of the series, closes out a number of plotlines that have been building since Signs of Portents. The story behind Beth’s demise is revealed. The secret organization hidden in the shadows of Portents comes to light. Threats return from the past and a new one rises bringing war with her.

Lots of action in this one with some great character moments for the entire cast. Everyone gets their moment, which has been the real treat with this novel.

Conclusions are absolutely a blast to write but the pressure of getting them right? STRESSFUL!

Pathways in the Dark – The paperback is available now on Amazon! Everywhere else will be on the 20th as well as the ebook version. Be sure to pre-order your copy for the launch price of only $0.99 if you’re going digital!

Paperback readers – Don’t forget to claim your free ebook copy through the Kindle Matchbook Program!

           

Reading

The Black Book by Ian Rankin – The fifth novel in the Inspector Rebus series is even better than the last. Rankin manages to weave dozens of threads together seamlessly. I was a third of the way in before I realized what the main mystery was, there were so many different things going on and all centered around our charming, curmudgeon lead, John Rebus. Loved every second of it.

There will be lots more reading updates next time around. I’ve been binging on books lately while I gear up for a HUGE project coming your way next year!

Writing Update – January 18, 2018

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The end of Greystone approaches and the start of a brand new project. It’s been a crazy month filled with broken furnaces and hot water tanks but plenty of writing in the mix as well.

Writing Update

Pathways in the Dark is available for pre-order!

         

It might not seem like much needed doing on that front but there is a ton of formatting and proofing to be done when getting a book to press. Very happy with the results so far and I hope you feel the same when the print and digital versions hit the shelves on February 20th!

A Circle of Shadows

The climactic finale to Greystone’s first major arc is coming together. I have a five page document of areas I need to work on. Hammering out details on character motivations or thoughts on how better to stage a scene. The spine of the novel is set. I’ve read through it three times this month so far and enjoy the hell out of it each time.

(Not my typical reaction if you know me…)

New beginnings and many endings to come with this book. You’ll hear more about it in a few weeks as I button up the self-editing phase.

Reading

Not much in the way this month with editing taking over. I have created a Winter Reading List that I posted earlier this week if you’d like to join me in the fun!

Watching

I have, however, tried to catch up on some viewing over the holiday break.

Supergirl Season One – I am a big fan of everything Kryptonian, in case Loren’s wardrobe wasn’t a big enough clue to that. I was worried about the stylistic changes for the show but absolutely enjoyed the arc over the course of the inaugural season of the show. Yes, the romantic interludes were tiresome but the inclusion of so many great background characters made it fun. Looking forward to the next one.

Fuller House Season Three (Part 2) – Yes. I am still watching this show. Many question my sanity but I find the lives of the Tanners/Fullers to be a nice change of pace from most programs in my queue. The deviations from the main characters bother me (a lot) but I feel like the show gets stronger with each season.

Spider-Man: Homecoming – I have been reading the adventures of Peter Parker for going on 25 years. During that time there have been plenty of ups and downs. The Sony films have been on the lower side of things for the most part. (Spider-Man 2 is still one of the best super-hero films of all time so I have to give them that one…) After two disappointing installments, this new iteration of the character was such a breath of fresh air.

While some of the Sony tropes remained (Hey look, no mask! or How about we throw a giant American flag in the background for no particular reason?) I think the helping hand of Marvel Studios kept the webhead grounded and interesting. And Michael Keaton was great. Can’t go wrong with Keaton in the villain role.

Hopefully some books will be read for the next one folks. Until then, stay warm!

Writing Update – August 10, 2017

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Putting a pin in it…

Closure. It is the greatest feeling in the world. Concluding a project that has eaten up weeks and months of time. Sometimes even years if you’re looking at things from a macro/series point of view. That is what this month is for me: project conclusion!

The Medusa Coin

Only 1 Month Away! Crazy, right?

I had the opportunity to read through the book again, this time in paperback form which is always a nice bonus. So glad I did.

project conclusion

I have a tendency to move a little more quickly than I should with my work. Juggling multiple books in various stages, plus raising my two munchkins and making sure the missus still knows I exist in this or any reality tends to fill the schedule pretty quickly.

Add a couple unforeseen calamities (I’m looking at you leaking toilet!) and some mistakes may sneak through.

Like in The Medusa Coin.

A few moments of “are you freaking kidding me?!” summed up the experience of reading through book three of the Greystone series. I’ve read the book at least fifteen times but some of the mistakes I made were insanely obvious and should have been weeded out months ago.

Suffice it to say, the book is NOW all set to go! The manuscript is clean and uploaded to retailers. Looking forward to hearing some reactions from my early readers soon.

Pathways in the Dark

project conclusionI’m heading back into book four mode for the next couple of weeks to clean it up for my editor. It’s been over a month since I finished so it will be nice to revisit.

And probably find the same cringe-worthy moments experienced in The Medusa Coin. (UGH!)

This will also be the first time I’m reading the short stories in chronological order. I’m curious to see how it holds together and if some subtle connections are needed to keep readers interested.

Should be fun.

And once this pass is done, so am I with my work! I might even take a week off! (Love project conclusion time!)

Reading

Tim Tigner’s Chasing Ivan – I finally had some time to sit down and enjoy a book last week. Insomnia helps for some things, I guess! Anyway, Chasing Ivan is the prequel to Tim Tigner’s Kyle Achilles series. An action thriller in the vein of Tom Clancy or Greg Rucka, Tigner offers an interesting look at espionage with his lead character.

I enjoyed the pace of the narrative, which never slowed for a single second. The level of detail filled out the world for Achilles without drying up the prose. The cat and mouse elements were nicely done and it dovetailed nicely into the start of the series proper.

Be sure to check it out. You can download it for FREE on Amazon.

Thanks for reading.

Writing Update – June, 22, 2017

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Writing Update

The Greystone Saga Volume One – The launch has been amazing so far. I want to thank everyone for their support in spreading the word about this collection. Remember, the 99-cent launch deal ENDS TONIGHT!

Pick up the first two books in the Greystone series for under a buck!

Pathways in the Dark – I’m going to be honest with you. I’ve stalled on my self-editing duties. I’m halfway through next February’s collection and hit the proverbial wall. The current story I’m working on needs more TLC than I’ve been able to give it. That should change as my work schedule opens up for the summer.

A couple weeks of all day editing should put me back on track for sure. And really let me dig into the collection and make it sing. (or scream… probably scream…)

So what have I been working on?

Well…. I keep trying to stop, to take a step back and focus on one project. I suck at it.

Last time I mentioned outlining the final book in the Greystone’s first cycle – what will eventually be the first half of the series. My hope was that with that out of my system I could refocus on Pathways, knowing where I was heading.

But my brain refused to let go. Over the last two weeks I burned through my absolute FAVORITE part of the process –

SCRIPTING.

From 79 handwritten pages of dialogue, denoting every single interaction from the outline and then putting it together with the plot for an incredible 178 page script. This is the spine for what will be next September’s release. It was fun and action packed.

But oh so bittersweet. Not everyone makes it out of this one. It’s going to be sad saying goodbye to these characters after living with them these past few years (some as long as a decade).

Reading

I keep hoping to settle down with a good book or ten but time hasn’t worked in my favor. I will say I am picking away at Chris Claremont’s X-Men run from the 1970’s and 1980’s.

It is amazing! From the Dark Phoenix Saga to Days of Future Past to God Loves, Man Kills and beyond there is something incredible happening in each issue.

Claremont was also the most incredible plotter of his time. A plot point introduced in one issue settles into the background for years before rushing to the forefront. So fluid. So natural. Simply incredible.

But I do hope my reading schedule will open up soon.

Last Chance

SFF Book Bonanza has a great listing of June new releases to meet all your reading needs. Find your next favorite author today!

Also, don’t forget to enter for your chance to win $100 Amazon Gift Card to enjoy all those amazing new releases!

Both offers end June 30th.

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